Churches & Abbeys

Churches in the North York Moors are both a fantastic example of architecture and an insight into the changing cultural history of the region. There are hundreds of Churches and Abbeys of all sizes and ages and many have their foundations in ancient spiritual places, dating back for thousands of years. Rievaulx Abbey is a few miles from Helmsley that is significant because it was the first Cistercian church in the country. The Cistercians arrived following the Norman conquest of Britain and made Rievaulx the centre of their order. They built this Abbey in 1132 and much of the original structure is still intact.

Ripon, Vale of York

Fountains Abbey is part of a World Heritage Site and is a major tourist attraction. The area is stunning and the beautiful natural habitat is teeming with wildlife. The Studley Royal Water Garden is...

Helmsley, North York Moors

A visit to Rievaulx Abbey in the North York Moors National Park is a wonderfully calming experience. The once bustling Abbey is now a silent ruin, sitting in a tranquil area of woodland and owned and...